There are so many things to say about AYP, and I'm sure that I have forgotten some of what I used to know about all of that!! I can say that Cloudcroft Schools were destined to eventually fail under NCLB. Personally and professionally, I do not believe that that act is all bad. It did set standards and benchmarks so that all schools could measure progress. However, in the case of CMS, our test scores have been and are still high. There is a point where high-performing schools cannot continue to achieve the increased proficiency required by the state and NCLB. I believe that Cc Elem and MS are beginning a slight downward trend due to earlier high scores. I'm sure that there are other extenuating circumstances (such as the scores of sub-groups), but we are NOT a failure or setting lower standards in Cloudcroft. Amy Lane has been our testing coordinator for about four years, and I KNOW how diligently she has monitored our schools' progress. In the future, I don't know who will be the testing coordinator for our district, but I do know that it is a hugely important job.
As for comments on the four-day week, I agree (and have expressed to board members) that the board should speak up in meetings regarding their opinions/comments and the four-day week. The more I talk to staff, the more I find that many of them do not support the 4-day week. In recent board meetings, I got the feeling that it was the majority of teachers who support the shortened week. ALL of them may reconsider after the AYP announcement. I wonder if it's too late to modify the calendar once again?? Truly, I don't know the answer to that.
Two board members (who voted for the short calendar) told me that they did it because THE TEACHERS wanted it. I'm not at all sure that the majority of our professional educators were in favor!! It was just presented that way by Mr. Snoddy and Mr. Rogers--in all sincerity, I'm sure.
Healthy debate is just that--healthy; but in order to debate, two sides/persons must speak their opinions and feelings. Board members, please hear this. You were elected to represent all of us, and to vote your conscience for the students and families of the school district. I have full confidence that you can and will do this.
Also, I am not in favor of recalling the five board members who VOLUNTEER their time, family, and finances to serve on the Cloudcroft Board of Education. Let's just communicate, communicate, communicate. Nothing productive comes from poor communication between the board, superintendent, administration, staff, community, families, and children. We are better than this!!! Let's talk, please. (And, just for the record, I consider any "anonymous" comment as invalid. Let's take some responsibility, too.)
Glena Muncrief
Retired Superintendent
Cloudcroft Municipal Schools
Monday, August 1, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
This was posted on Margo Whitt's blog - People Concerned about Cloudcroft Municipal Schools
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Cloudcroft Sports have been Saved This Year
This was received from parent Paul Comino:
This is a good time to remind everyone to do business with our corporate sponsors and thank them for their donations.
After the Cloudcroft School Administration eliminated the Jr. High sports program for the upcoming school year due to budget constraints, the Cloudcroft Sideliners organization demonstrated what community spirit and hard work can accomplish. The Sideliners vowed they wouldn’t let Jr. High Sports fall by the wayside and immediately went to work expanding their fund raising activities on behalf of the Cloudcroft Bears.
The following is an excerpt from an email by Paul Comino:
It is with great pleasure I can tell you that our Middle School sports program has been saved for the coming school year. Wendy McCourt, the President of Sideliners, issued the check (hard earned money) this last week from the Sideliners account to Cloudcroft Schools to make sure that we have sports in Cloudcroft next year. Everyone involved should be very proud of what was accomplished this summer on a very short notice. It goes to show you that if we get involved we can make a difference with our Sports program here in Cloudcroft.
It is with great pleasure I can tell you that our Middle School sports program has been saved for the coming school year. Wendy McCourt, the President of Sideliners, issued the check (hard earned money) this last week from the Sideliners account to Cloudcroft Schools to make sure that we have sports in Cloudcroft next year. Everyone involved should be very proud of what was accomplished this summer on a very short notice. It goes to show you that if we get involved we can make a difference with our Sports program here in Cloudcroft.
This summer started out with just trying to determine how much was needed and when it was needed by. We not only have exceeded the amount needed for middle school sports, but, we also got it done comfortably before the deadline.
Sideliners has a ambitious list of goals for this year and there is a group of people on the Sideliner board that are working their tails off to make sure we hit those goals. Our work is not done. In the coming months we need to continue to organize, get the message out that as parents, athletes and community we need to get involved in our sports program.
I think many agree Cloudcroft’s Sports Programs have not been what they can be. There are many reasons, however, what we can impact as parents and community we must. In the past, maybe you were never asked for help. That has changed. We need your help and we are asking for your help. Whether it is assisting in a fundraiser, working a concession stand, donating money, making phone calls, making posters, attending sports events, showing your support for Cloudcroft Sports at School Board meetings, or just frequent the businesses that are supporting Cloudcroft Sports.
We can make a difference. Sideliners is the vehicle to do just that.
This summer's fundraisers so far have been:
- Car Wash at Culligan Water in Alamogordo
- Alamogordo Street Fair
- Walmart Dominos pizza discount cards fundraiser
- Summer Dance
- Pancake Breakfast
- Mayfair
- BAMM Music Festival
- July Jamboree
- Pet Show
- Cookie Dough fundraiser
- Corporate Sponsors
- Private individual donations
- Jennifer Stone Sold Cookies at Weed Store this summer
- Special mention Alex Miller that sold 95 tubs of cookie dough & $117 in donations. ($649)
That was a full schedule for the summer and I want to thank everyone for all their hard work.
This Summer's Corporate and Community Supporters so far have been:
- Randy Melton Electrical in Cloudcroft
- Culligan Water in Alamogordo
- Penasco Gravel in Mayhill
- Mountain Magic in Cloudcroft
- Dr. Dan & Suzanne Schmidt in Cloudcroft
- The Stove and Spa Store in Alamogordo
- Weed Store in Weed
- Remax in Alamogordo
- Coldwell Banker in Alamogordo
- Alta Vista Chalet Motel in Cloudcroft
- Southwest Disposal in Alamogordo
Please note that we have not even started what has been the traditional season of requesting local business support. Typically that has been done at the end of the summer, however, with the urgency to save Jr. High Sports several new businesses were approached for help and we thank those that came through. There will be our traditional donors coming forward in the coming months and we will want to thank them as well.
This is a good time to remind everyone to do business with our corporate sponsors and thank them for their donations.
I echo Paul's thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. - Arlan
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Our Nation's "Broken Escalator"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/opinion/sunday/17kristof.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
This is an excellent read that I MUST recommend. Cloudcroft isn't alone in their problems with budget issues. This is a national epidemic that is hurting all of us.
Though the specifics of our situation might not be the same as other school districts, our community's desire to not lose ground and to do what it takes to keep our programs is what makes us truly unique and different.
As Mr. Kristof says "I hear people endorse education cuts by arguing that 'school isn’t for everybody,' which usually means something like 'education isn’t for other people’s children.' I can’t think of any view that is more un-American." I AGREE COMPLETELY!
I still contend that changes need to be made - both at our local level and at the state level - to ensure our programs are effectively funded. For our legislators to continue to cut our budgets while telling us "do more with less" is in a sense telling us "Education isn't for everyone ... make your choice."
It is time to lay aside the pompous attitudes, the narcissistic stances and the ignorance is bliss views and come together. Until we can reconcile the rifts made within our community and respect EVERYONE's opinion, have humility and look forward to the future, we will continue to struggle as a school, a community and a nation.
This is an excellent read that I MUST recommend. Cloudcroft isn't alone in their problems with budget issues. This is a national epidemic that is hurting all of us.
Though the specifics of our situation might not be the same as other school districts, our community's desire to not lose ground and to do what it takes to keep our programs is what makes us truly unique and different.
As Mr. Kristof says "I hear people endorse education cuts by arguing that 'school isn’t for everybody,' which usually means something like 'education isn’t for other people’s children.' I can’t think of any view that is more un-American." I AGREE COMPLETELY!
I still contend that changes need to be made - both at our local level and at the state level - to ensure our programs are effectively funded. For our legislators to continue to cut our budgets while telling us "do more with less" is in a sense telling us "Education isn't for everyone ... make your choice."
It is time to lay aside the pompous attitudes, the narcissistic stances and the ignorance is bliss views and come together. Until we can reconcile the rifts made within our community and respect EVERYONE's opinion, have humility and look forward to the future, we will continue to struggle as a school, a community and a nation.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Amy Lane resigns
Just received word and it has been confirmed: Amy Lane resigned last night following the meeting.
She will be greatly missed. I think she was an extremely valuable asset to our administration team and to our children.
This hurts tremendously.
She will be greatly missed. I think she was an extremely valuable asset to our administration team and to our children.
This hurts tremendously.
4-day week passes
The 4-day school week passed last night by a 3-1 vote (Gerold Green voted nay). As I said last night before the vote my decision was a last second one. The parents, teachers and community members who provided us with information (both for and against) was incredible. I really appreciate all the information we received and all of the support we received.
On May 9, I made the second and voted in favor of the 4-day school week. After receiving word that we didn't do it the proper way I began thinking perhaps this wasn't the way we needed to go. In the end I felt we needed to try whatever we could to make sure we kept the doors open and our kids getting an education. I appreciate everyone's opinions and comments regarding this issue.
I made my decision and I will stand by it. If I am wrong I will be more than willing to stand up and say "I was wrong." I am big enough and man enough to do that. I hope that we don't regret having made this decision. I think our district has already suffered enough pain and suffering and we need to work together toward a successful and exciting 2011-2012 school year.
I would like to thank all the people who provided information, gave us insight and spent hours researching material and forwarding it to the board. Your help was greatly appreciated and valued.
On May 9, I made the second and voted in favor of the 4-day school week. After receiving word that we didn't do it the proper way I began thinking perhaps this wasn't the way we needed to go. In the end I felt we needed to try whatever we could to make sure we kept the doors open and our kids getting an education. I appreciate everyone's opinions and comments regarding this issue.
I made my decision and I will stand by it. If I am wrong I will be more than willing to stand up and say "I was wrong." I am big enough and man enough to do that. I hope that we don't regret having made this decision. I think our district has already suffered enough pain and suffering and we need to work together toward a successful and exciting 2011-2012 school year.
I would like to thank all the people who provided information, gave us insight and spent hours researching material and forwarding it to the board. Your help was greatly appreciated and valued.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
My response to People Concerned about Cloudcroft Municipal Schools blog post
Margo. Just to clear the record I have yet to receive the packets with the petitions you mention. I received an email from from John Manford on Monday - I was at the School Board Law Conference all weekend. I did email him back Monday and tell him I would attempt to call him. I got busy reviewing information that Amanda Woeger and Mike Nivison sent me and didn't make contact. That could be an excuse, but I do actually listen to what people have to say - whether I like what they say or not. I would still welcome the opportunity to review the material, however, I can tell you after talking to numerous people at the law conference and some additional friends there is no way to simply fire our superintendent - as the petitions request. I know that is not the answer people want, but right now that is the reality people must face. That doesn't mean I'm spineless or don't have the guts to speak up - that means I want to ensure we aren't paying two superintendents and an assistant.
Our "assistant superintendent," which is a misnomer because she actually was our director of curriculum and testing, has been moved to the special ed director. This was done last week.
People also need to take a hard look at HB 212 to better understand the place school board members are in with regard to what they are entitled to do.
Tonight (Wednesday, June 15) I posted on my Facebook page and my blog asking for feedback on the 4 day school week. I am asking for people's feedback because I want everyone to understand that by remaining with a 5 day school week we will be forced to RIF two or three additional teachers - which I think is also a bad situation. As I've said previously this is a bad sandwich and everyone has to take a bite ... we just have to figure out which bad taste EVERYONE wants in their mouths.
Do we have hard facts to support the savings we hope to gain? NO. (I don't think any school district can realistically give us those facts because not all districts face the severe winters we do. Last year we received a federal stimulus grant for $150K that covered our propane ... this year that grant isn't coming.)
Do we know if this will cause us to lose children? NO. (I will tell you there is rumor Alamo and numerous other schools in NM are looking at going to a 4 day week. I can also add that more than one Alamo parent has expressed interest in bringing their child up to Cloudcroft because of the potential 4 day week.)
And lastly ... Is your school board going to make a decision not everyone likes? YES. Answering any other way would be foolish. At this point, we must make decisions that will not be popular. In my opinion, we are ALL in a lose-lose situation and worst of all our children are going to be affected ... regardless of whether we have a 4 or 5 day week or we have a superintendent and asst. superintendent.
http://cmsbearsinfo.blogspot.com/2011/06/special-school-board-meeting-scheduled.html
Our "assistant superintendent," which is a misnomer because she actually was our director of curriculum and testing, has been moved to the special ed director. This was done last week.
People also need to take a hard look at HB 212 to better understand the place school board members are in with regard to what they are entitled to do.
Tonight (Wednesday, June 15) I posted on my Facebook page and my blog asking for feedback on the 4 day school week. I am asking for people's feedback because I want everyone to understand that by remaining with a 5 day school week we will be forced to RIF two or three additional teachers - which I think is also a bad situation. As I've said previously this is a bad sandwich and everyone has to take a bite ... we just have to figure out which bad taste EVERYONE wants in their mouths.
Do we have hard facts to support the savings we hope to gain? NO. (I don't think any school district can realistically give us those facts because not all districts face the severe winters we do. Last year we received a federal stimulus grant for $150K that covered our propane ... this year that grant isn't coming.)
Do we know if this will cause us to lose children? NO. (I will tell you there is rumor Alamo and numerous other schools in NM are looking at going to a 4 day week. I can also add that more than one Alamo parent has expressed interest in bringing their child up to Cloudcroft because of the potential 4 day week.)
And lastly ... Is your school board going to make a decision not everyone likes? YES. Answering any other way would be foolish. At this point, we must make decisions that will not be popular. In my opinion, we are ALL in a lose-lose situation and worst of all our children are going to be affected ... regardless of whether we have a 4 or 5 day week or we have a superintendent and asst. superintendent.
http://cmsbearsinfo.blogspot.com/2011/06/special-school-board-meeting-scheduled.html
School board meeting - June 20
Come and give your opinion on the 4-day school week. Whether you are for or against it ... I NEED YOUR HELP.
I have my opinion, but I'm listening to ensure we make the right decision for our students! I NEED YOUR HELP!
If you can't attend, please shoot me a message - either via Facebook message, via my email address: voteforarlan@gmail.com or via a post on my blog: voteforarlan.blogspot.com. We need your names - whether for or against. You're opinion is valued! If you think you don't need to speak up then a decision might be made that you won't like!
I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK NOW!
I have my opinion, but I'm listening to ensure we make the right decision for our students! I NEED YOUR HELP!
If you can't attend, please shoot me a message - either via Facebook message, via my email address: voteforarlan@gmail.com or via a post on my blog: voteforarlan.blogspot.com. We need your names - whether for or against. You're opinion is valued! If you think you don't need to speak up then a decision might be made that you won't like!
I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK NOW!
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